Islam Makhachev might not stay at welterweight permanently after challenging for the title there, according to a fellow fighter who trains with him.
Movlid Khaybulaev, an undefeated featherweight with a 22-0-1 record, is set to compete in the PFL World Tournament semi-finals tomorrow night in Nashville against Tae Kyun Kim.
Khaybulaev regularly trains alongside Makhachev under the guidance of Khabib Nurmagomedov. He has witnessed Makhachev`s preparations for moving up to the 170lb division to face the new welterweight champion, Jack Della Maddalena.
Makhachev`s Welterweight Move May Be Temporary
Makhachev vacated his lightweight championship, ending a dominant reign, when he decided to move up to the 170lb division. This made the title available for Charles Oliveira and Ilia Topuria to contest in the upcoming main event of UFC 317.
However, Khaybulaev suggested that Makhachev`s time in the lightweight division might not be over. Although potential rematches against Oliveira or a bout against featherweight champion Topuria don`t seem particularly appealing to Makhachev currently, a compelling new challenge could lead him back to 155lb.
Khaybulaev quoted Makhachev as saying he would “always come back” to lightweight “if he is going to have an interesting fight.” He added that Makhachev feels he has “nobody new left for him” at 155lb and is moving up primarily to “test himself.”
Confidence in Makhachev`s Welterweight Prospects
Before considering a return to lightweight, Makhachev is focused on his goal of securing a second divisional title. Khaybulaev mentioned that at their training facility, fighters from different weight classes spar regularly, so he has already witnessed Makhachev performing effectively against welterweights.
(Caption based on original image context) Islam Makhachev at a previous weigh-in.
Expressing confidence, Khaybulaev stated, “I fully trust Islam’s experience and how he feels himself going a weight up.” He elaborated on their gym`s training environment: “We’ve got a bunch of people we train with at different weight classes. For example, me. I train with Islam, who is a lightweight and we are totally different [Khaybulaev is a featherweight].” He concluded that such training helps fighters test themselves against various opponents, suggesting Makhachev is likely well-prepared, having “tested himself multiple times with the heavier guys.”
